Empty Nesters

My grown daughter recently noted that she had never lived in a home without a dog. It reminded me that statistics show raising children with pets helps them learn responsibility and kindness. And adults with dogs generally live seven years longer and are less lonely in old age. Pet ownership is an outlet for giving…

As multiplied thousands of students graduate from high school and college this time of year, they hear lofty advice from baccalaureate and graduation ceremony speakers meant to prepare them for the future. Orators urge them to keep learning, think positively, set goals, strive for excellence . . . live successfully. Years ago Robert Hutchings, president…

{Editor’s Note: Before today’s wonderful post, I want to let everyone know our daily articles may experience changes over the next month. Instead of Monday – Friday, we will be posting on a reduced level due to health issues within our staff. You might have noticed we have had some issues–both technical and health–that have…

Our daughter Angelica’s marriage to Stephen delighted Jerry and me because it brought us one step closer to being grandparents. Their talk of moving to Europe stretched over the first year of their marriage. I simply chose not to believe it. When Stephen accepted a job offer in Hungary, my heart sank. They were expecting…

Who in your life models gentleness? My mother, Lena, set an example of gentleness and passed it on to generations that followed her. Lena gave birth to her third son in a Russian hospital while her husband was in prison for preaching the gospel. They escaped to America in 1931, and raised a large family…

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God” (Matthew 5:9).“What is peace?” I asked my husband. But before he could answer I said jokingly, “Is it when the grandkids go home?””No,” he replied quickly. “It’s too quiet when they’re gone.” I’m grateful my husband enjoys spending time with our grandkids and…

I turned 66 this year, March 25th to be precise. I generally don’t forget my own birthday, so I wondered why amazon.com sent me a reminder about it? Did I ask to be reminded? There are plenty of things I need reminders about–like where I put the car keys, my password on this and that, but not my…

by Vicki Huffman In the U.S., September 11, 2011 is National Grandparents’ Day. It’s a good time to stop and pay tribute to our grandparents—or their memories. As children we may have heard it said of ourselves, “You look just like your mother” or “you’re the spitting image of your father.” But some studies indicate…

I thought when I retired I would enjoy traveling, relaxing and doing things I couldn’t do while I was working. Instead, my days and nights are filled with unexpected interruptions. Four years ago I elected to retire early and move in with my daughter and her husband. As managers in retail, their hours are erratic,…

The house of the righteous contains great treasure (Proverbs 15:6 NIV). What if your home burned down? Or all your possessions were stolen? What would you have to pass on? Through Jesus—plenty. In contrast to earthly treasure, an eternal inheritance impacts generation after generation. Even now, my parents, who taught me about Jesus at…